Classical Poetry of Osaka

Must I pass through this life without meeting you—not even for the brief space between a reed's joints at Naniwa Bay?

Tell them I have sailed away across the vast sea plain, toward countless islands— you, humble fishing boats upon the waves.

Falling ill on my journey— yet still my dreams go wandering across the withered fields

Along Sumiyoshi's shore, pine groves stand in mist— This spring seaside, veiled in haze so fair, No wonder my beloved longs to be here.

For one brief night among the reeds of Naniwa Bay, must I now spend my whole life drowning in this love?

My sovereign lord, being divine, Dwells in a palace built above the thunder, High beyond the clouds of heaven.

Summer grasses sway— all that remains of warriors' faded dreams of glory

When the mountain wind blows, autumn grasses bow and wither— no wonder they call it 'arashi,' the storm.

Fields of yellow rapeseed bloom— the moon rises in the east as the sun sets in the west

Though our humble home fills with soot from reed fires burning through Naniwa nights, my wife remains forever wondrous to me.